Washing machine



gMay a. 1927.

F, a. MOREHOUSE' :1- AL.

vmsame MACHINE Filo'd Oct. 10. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 )nue'wrae: FEW/1k 8. AIME/10035 Fmkm 1 m pm" Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.rmmx B. xonnnousn AND. rm]: man, or SAN rmcrsoo, earn-omen, assrenons, BY manor m MESNE assrommnrs; T TBAYWAYKIG. 00., A con- IPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

wasnme madame.

Application filed October 10, 1923. Serial No. 887,885. i

The invention relates to a portable washing machine adapted to be used to wash I clothes in stationary laundry trays.

' ing machine mounted on a laundry tray, portions of the machine being broken away and being shown in section to illustrate the An object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient washing machine for washing clothes in laundry trays.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a washing machine which may be readily attached to and removedfrom the'laundry tray. Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine for use in connection with a laundry .tray in which the driving bar for the impeller, which is located in the tray, may be readily removed, to facilitate the removal of laundry from the tra Xnother object of the invention is to rovide a completely enclosed power driven washing machine, for use in connection with laundry trays, in which the liability of lubricants from the machine, comin -into contact with the laundry, is leduced to a minimum. I

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description,-where we shall outline in full, that form of the invention which we have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings we have shown one form of Washing machine embodyin our invention, but it is to be understoo that we do not limit ourselves to such form, since the invention, as set forth in the claims, may beembodied in a plurality of forms.

Referring to said drawin s:'

F'gure 1 is an end elevation of thewashing machine mounted on a stationary laundry tray, a portion of the tray being broken awa to show portions of the machine.

F igure 2 is a top or plan view of the impeller.

Figure 3 is 'a side elevation of the washconstructlon.

Figure 4 is a detail showing the means for reversing the direction of rotation of the wringerroll.

- Figure 5 is a verticalsection of the machine showing the gearing for drivingthe wringer rolls and impeller.

Figure 6 is an underneath view of the arm of the machine with the lower plate removed, showing the drive for the impeller. Figure 7 is a cross section of the machine takenon the line 7-7 Figure 3.

' Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the arm and casing in detached relation. The machine of our invention is adapted to set on and beclamped to a stationary laundry tray for the purpose of washing clothes in the tray. In the drawings we have shown the machine mounted on a two comtending through the end plates. The end plate 2 rests on the front wall 5 of the laundry tray and is provided with lateral extensions 6 which also rest on the front wall.

These extensions are provided with clamps 7 for securing the machine to the laundry tray. The clamp comprises a yoke pivoted v to the extension so that the clamp may readily adjust itself to front walls of varying inclination. One face of the yoke rests against the outer face of the front wall and the other .arm of the yoke is provided with a screw 8 which is turned to secure the clamp to the front wall. The driving motor 9 is supportedon the end plate 3 of the frame. end plate from the motor and secure the motor shell to the end plate 3, which is. formed to receive the motor shell.

is preierablycylindrical in form and which sets on shoulders on the end plates 2 and 3.

In practice we remove the standard The motor is enclosed within a housing-13, which plates are preferably provided with apertures to permit air to circulate through the housing 13, to keep the motor oool.

The wringer rolls are arranged above the housing and the water expressed from the laundry by the wringer flows over the adjustable drain board 10, which may be inclined in either direction, to divert the'water into either laundry tray. From the drain board the water flows over the housing 13, which is provided on its under side, at opposite' sides of the transverse wall of the laundry tray, with ribs 20 which deflect the water flowing over the housing into the desired tray and prevent it from flowing over the transverse wall into the other tray.

Formed integral with the end plate 3, is a casing 14 into which the motor shaft 15 extends. The motor shaft is provided on its end with a worm 16 which meshes with a worm wheel 17 secured to a vertical shaft 18, journalled in the casing. The casing 14 is preferably cylindrical in form, and the I shaft 18 is preferably concentric with the casing. Detachably secured to the lower end of the casing 14, by a suitable joint, such as the breech lock 19, is an outwardly extending member preferably in the form of a hollow cantilever arm 21 Which overlies the interior of the washing tray. The arm 21 is horizontally disposed and positions the driving bar of the washing mechanism. The arm 21 is provided on its upper and lower surfaces with hollow bosses 22 and 23 which form bearings for the vertically disposed hollow shaft 24 to'which the gear 25 is secured. The hollow shaft 24 may be formed integral with the gear 25. The hollow shaft 24 is provided with a non-circular bore, preferably rectangular, through which extends the driving bar 26, which drives the impeller 27, which is disposed in the laundry tray. The impeller 27 is provided with a non-circular socket 28 corresponding to the bore in the shaft 24 and the driving bar 26 is preferably loosely disposed in said socket and hollow shaft, so that the driving bar may be readily removed, to facilitate the removal of the laundry from the tray.

-- Since laundry trays are of different widths and have front Walls of different inclinations, the relation of the center of the bottom of a tray and the intersection of the front and transverse walls vary in different trays, means are provided for adjusting the position' of the impeller so that it may be disposed at the center of the bottom of the tray. The arm 21 is movable in a horizontal plane about the joint 19 to properly position the impeller and is held in adjusted position by suitable means, such .as the setscrew 64 which looks the arm in position. Due to the slidable fit of the bar 26 in the hollow shaft 24, the machine is helf-adjusting to trays of different depth. This free vertical movement of the impeller is also advantageous to prevent strains in the apparatus due to the collection of articles of the driving bar and the driving bar produces rotation of the impeller, but the driving bar isslidably fitted into the hollow Shaft and impeller, and by grasping the upper end of the driving bar, which projects abovethe boss 22, the driving bar may be readily removed. The impeller is provided with vanes which produce an agitation of the water and laundry in the tray and is provided on its under side with a pad 30 which rests against the bottom of'the tray.

Means are provided for producing an oscillating rotary movement of the impeller 27. Disposed within the hollow arm 21 and engaging the gear 25 is a rack bar 31 which is given a reciprocating movement by the crank 32 which is formed on the lower end of the vertical shaft 18. The shaft 18 is rotated by the motor 9, causing reciprocation ofthe rack 31 and oscillation of the gear 25, and the gear 25 is preferably of such diameter that reciprocation of the rack causes oscillation of the gear through an arc of approximately 180. The rack is held in mesh with the gear 25 by a roller 33 seated in'a pocket formed in the arm. The arm is also provided with a lubricant chamber 34 which communicates with the bearings of the hollow shaft 24 by the passages 35. Packing rings 36, in the hollow bosses, prevent the lubricant from working out of the bearings. The hollow arm is closed on the underside by a plate 37; the lower surface of which is depressed below the marginal edge-of the plate, forming trays or sumps for receiving and holding any lubricant which finds its way into the hollow arm, thus preventing any lubricant from leaking from the arm and coming into contact with the laundry.

Disposed above the motor housing 13 are a pair of wringer rolls 41 and 42, the axes of which are parallel to the axis of the housing 13. The wringer rolls are journalled in the end plates of the machine and means are provided for rotating the rolls in either'direction or for holding them inoperative. Secured to the shaft 18 above the gear 17, is a gear 43 which meshes with a gear 44 which is secured to or formed integral with the hollow shaft 45. The hollow shaft 45 is journalled in the casing 46 which is mounted on the casing 14, and arranged within and splined to the hollow shaft is avertical shaft 47 which is capable of vertical movement, while maintaining driving relations with the position. The ver'tica position of the shaft 47 is determined by the cam lever 49, pivoted to the upper end of the casin 46 and engag-' ing the upper end of the she.

47. By moving the lever 49, the shaft 47 may be positioned in its upper position, lower position,

or intermediate position. Loosely mounted on the shaft 47 are two bevel gears 51 and 52' which are in mesh with the bevel gear 53" which is secured to the drive shaft 54 of the wringer rolls 41 and 42. Either of the gears 51 and 52 may be rotatabl secured to the shaft 47 so thatit rotates t erewith or both gears 51 and 52 may remain idle. Each bevel gear 51 and 52 is provided on its surface which lies adjacent the axis of the shaft 54 with a notch 56 which is adapted to be engaged by a pin carried by the shaft 47 to causerotation of the engaged gear. The pin 57 is adapted'to engage the gear 51 when the. shaft 47 is raised to its uppermost position, and the pin 58 is adapted to engage the gear 52 when the, shaft is depressed to its lowerfmost position. Thus .when the shaft 47 is raised, the wringer rolls are rotated in one direction and .when the shaft 47 is depressed to its full extent, the wringer rolls are rotated in the reverse direction. The distance between the gears 51 and 52 is such that the pins 57 and 58 may be positioned between the gears and out of contact with both of them, thus interru ting the driving connec-' tion'between the s aft 47 and the shaft 54, so that the wringer rolls remain stationary. The machine is further secured to the laundry tray by the back clam 61 which engages the transverse wall of t e'laundry trays. Formed on the casing 14 is a lug 62 to which theclamp 61 is pivoted and a screw 63 passing through the clamp serves to clamp the transverse wall between the clamp and the inner endof the arm 21. The machine is thus secured to the trays at three spaced points, so that ity is firmly held in position. v I

-We claim: a a

1. In a washing machine, a casing, a hollow arm extending horizontally from said casing, a hollow vertical shaftburnaled in said arm adjacent its outer en a gear on said shaft, a rack enclosed in said am and engaging said gear, a motor adjacent said' casm and above said arm, drive means depending in'said' casing and adapted to cooperatively connect said motor and rack, and impeller means connected to said hollow vertical shaft.

2. In a washing machine, ac an arm extendin from and having one its ends supported bysaid casing ahollow vertical f shaft journalled in said irm, said shaft havmg a non-circular bore, means for oscillating said shaft, an iifipeller having a noncircular bore and a slidable in said bores and connectin theshaft and the impeller.

3. In a was g machine, a vertical shaft having a non-circular bore therein, means for oscillating said shaft, an im eller having a non-circular bore therein isposed verticallyobelow said shaft and a bar fitting in said res and normally slidable vertically therein, so that thebar may be readily removed from the impeller and the shaft by liftin the same.

4. n a washing machine, a frame, a hollow elongated arm extending outwardly from said frame, a hollow casing supported by the frame adjacent said arm, a vertical hollow shaft journaled in said arm at a point remote from the frame, a depending shaft disposed in said casing, a horizontal shaft above said arm and cooperatively connected to drive said depending shaft, and means di (1 in said hollow arm for driving said hollow shaft from said depending shaft.

In a washing machine, a casing, a hollow arm extendin horizontally from said casing, a vertical y disposed hollow "shaft journalled in, said arm adjacent its outer end, said shaft having a non-circular bore open ng at the top and bottom of the arm, means in said. arm for oscillating said shaft, an impeller having vertical non-circular bore arran ed below aid shaft and a bar fitting aai bores an slidably removable vertically therefrom.

6. In a washing machine adaptedto be mounted on a stationary laundry tray, a frame, washing means carried by said frame, extensions on said frame overlying the front .wall of the tray and clamps pivoted to said of said front'w 7. In awashiextensions allflllfied to engage opposite sides machine adapted to be mounted on stationary laundry trays, va

frame adapted to overlie the central wall of the trays,.mean s for securing the frame .to'the trays, a motor carried by said frame and arranged with its axis parallel to the plane of saidw'all, a casing secured to said red to and entirely sup- 'Tt'ported by aiaid'casing and extending into one of said 'tra fan impeller disposed in said tray, im or driving means mounted in said arm, and means connecting the impeller and said driving means. 8.'In a washing machine adapted to be mounted on a stationary laundr tray having an intermediate partition, arame, exten sions on said frame overlying the front wall of the tray, clamps on said extensions adapted to engage saidffront wall and a clamp on the frame adapted to engage the interg mediate partition of the tray.

9. In a washing machine adapted to be mounted on an open laun tray, a casing adapted to be positioned fd jacent a wall of the tray, a member extending outwardly from said casing to overlie the interior of said tray, impellendriving means carried by said member, an impeller operatively connected to said driving means and disposed below saidmember, and means for adjusting the position of said impeller horizontally means and operatively connecting the im-' peller and said driving means.

11. In a washing machine adapted to be mounted on a stationary tray, a casing adapted to be positioned over a wall of the tray, a cantilever arm extending from the casing, an impeller arrangedbelow said arm, im eller driving means carried by said arm and means connecting the impeller and the driving means.

12. In a washing machine adapted to be mounted upon a receptacle, a casing mounted in proximity to one side wall of said receptacle, ower transmission means disposed in sai casing, a motor having a shaft operatively connected with said power transmission means, a hollow member extending of said receptacle and below said motor shaft, impeller means journaled in said member at a point remote from said casing,

and means carried by said member for operatively connecting said power transmission means with sald impeller means.

13. In a washing machine adapted to be mounted on a stationary tray, a casing adapted to be positioned over a wall of the tray, a horizontally adjustable cantilever arm extending horizontally from the casing into the tray, animpeller arranged in the tray below the arm, impeller driving means carried b the arm and means connecting the im el er and the driving means.

14. na washing machine adapted to be mounted on a stationary tray, a casing adapted to be positioned over a wall of the tray, a hollow cantilever arm extending laterally from the casing over the interior of the tray,im eller driving means enclosed in the arm, an an impeller connected to the driving means and disposed below the arm said arm being adjustable in a horizontai plane to position the impeller in the tray.

15. In a washing machine adapted to be mounted on a stationary tray, a casing adapted to be positioned over a wall of the tra a hollow cantilever arm rotatably attache to the casing to rmit adjustment of the arm in a horizonta plane, means for securing the arm to the casing to hold it in horizontally adjusted position, impeller driving means enclosed within the arm and an im ller connected to said driving means and below the arm.

16. In a washing machine, a frame, a motor mounted on said frame and having a shaft, a casing secured to the frame and into which the motor shaft extends, a vertically disposed drive shaft in said casin connected to the motor shaft, said casing having a circular lower end concentric with the drive shaft, a hollow arm having a circular opening therein engaging the circular casing end, whereby the arm is rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft, a vertically disposed impeller shaft arranged at the outer end of the arm and driving means enclosed in the arm and connecting the drive shaft with the impeller shaft.

17. In a washing machine adapted to be disposed upon an open laundry tray having an intermediate partition, a frame secured to one side wall and overlying said partition so as to offer substantially no obstruction to the openin in said tray, a member carried by and exten ing outwardly from said frame and overlying the interior of said tray, vertical impeller means journaled in said member at a point remote from said frame, a motor carried b said frame, and driving means operative y connecting said motor with said impeller means. outwardly from said casing over the interior 18. In a washingmachine, for detachably mountin side wall of a rece tac thereof so as to o struction to the opening in said rece tacle, a hollow member extending from and having one of its ends supported by said frame, said member overlying the interior of said receptacle, an oscillating impeller rod extending downwardly from said member into said receptacle at a point remote from said frame, impeller drive means carried within said member, a motor carried b and means oiperatively connecting said motor with sai impeller drive means.

19. In a washing machine, a frame, means for mounting the frame upon a wall of a laundry tray so as to-ofier substantially una frame, means the frame upon the e adjacent one side obstructed access to the interior of-said tray, a motor carried by said frame, an upstanding casing also carried by said frame, a

member extending over the interior of'said receptacle and having one of its ends connected to said casing at a point below said motor, impeller means extending downwardly from said member into the interior of said tra drive means carried by said member, an interconnecting means extending downer substantially no ob-' said frame,

disposed mounted on an open laundry tray having an intermediate partition, a frame overlying said central partition and having one of its ends supported clamping means adjacent said end'of said frame for clamping the same to said side 'su rtmg the other end of said frame. ppo

21. In awashing machine, a receptacle, a a frame secured to said receptacle, motor means supported by said frame, a member overlyinghthe interior of said receptacle, :1

vertical aft journalled in said member and by an adjoining side wall,'

having a non-circular bore, means for operatively connecting said shaft and motor-means whereby movement is imparted to said shaft, an im ller positioned beneath said member and a apted to be supported by the bottom of the receptacle, said impeller having a noncircular bore, and a rod 0 ratively connectin said shaft and impe er, said rod being ores whereby the rodv may be manuall lifted during movement of sa1d vertical sha .t to disengage said impeller.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our-hands,

mm B. MOREHOUSE. FRANK HAASE.

sli able longitudinally with respect to both wall of said tray, and means bearing u n b said intermediate partition for 

